A request to Bishop Liam Cary: Stop stalking campaign against Father James Radloff and laity of the Evangelical Catholic Church

Each and every person who is living in remission from a serious illness attempts to do their very best to enjoy the gift of extended quality of life.  While doing our best to follow the advice and directions of our doctors, we live in fear of hearing four simple words:  "Your ____________ is back."

I am composing this blog on March 16th, 2015, 320 days or ten months and 20 days since my colleague, Father James Radloff submitted his letter of resignation as priest from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker Oregon along with his personal membership within the Roman Catholic Church. In doing so, Father Radloff's professional integrity demanded that he would end all of his connections with the Church of Rome in accordance with policy and procedure outlined in "Defectio ab Ecclesia catholica actu formali,"  ("Defection from the Catholic Church by a Formal Act")

Father Radloff's letter of April 18th, 2014 fulfilled the Canonical prerequisites required by the Church of Rome through demonstration of:

1.  An internal act of will;
2.  An external manifestation of that act; and
3.  communication of the fact in writing to the local Bishop.

Through the execution of Father Radloff's letter, all connections and ties which Father Radloff had with and to the Church of Rome came to its canonical end 320 days ago or ten months and 20 days ago today.

After receipt of Father Radloff's letter of resignation from the Church of Rome buy its Diocese of Baker Oregon, Father Radloff was canonically free to petition for membership within the Evangelical Catholic Church and to begin the process for Clerical Incardination into the Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest.

To those gifted with common sense, Father Radloff's decision leave the Church of Rome and to continue his sacramental and vocational journey with the Evangelical Catholic Church would be viewed as a one-two step process.

At the time in which Father Radloff became a member of the Evangelical Catholic Church, he had the choice to continue his ministry in Illinois or to remain in Oregon.  Because of the overwhelming number of individuals and families desiring that Father Radloff remain with them in Oregon, the decision was made to permit him to develop a new mission parish within the greater Bend region and thus came about the birth of Holy Communion Evangelical Catholic Church.

From the moment of the dedication of Holy Communion Evangelical Catholic Church, Bishop Liam Cary began a full-time campaign to destroy the potential success of the mission.  Beginning in the early summer months of 2015, Bishop Cary published a series of "letters" damning the Evangelical Catholic Church and erroneously applied Vatican II theology to shore up his writings.  For the purpose of this blog, I am not going to embarrass Bishop Cary via a litany of his false application of theology and ecclesiology, for in the end the basis of Bishop Cary's writings was simple meanness and vindictiveness towards Father Radloff.

By the end of Summer 2014, Bishop Cary's campaign against us went into remission without any burps from him through Advent and Christmas.  As we have all entered into the Lenten Season, we continued to enjoy this remission - until March 10th, 2015 when Bishop Cary published:

Statement of
BISHOP LIAM CARY
regarding the canonical status of
FATHER JAMES RADLOFF
in the Roman Catholic Church

In Bishop Cary's unsigned five paragraph "statement," Bishop Cary acknowledges receiving Father Radloff's letter of resignation, et al.

In this missive, Bishop Cary expresses his displeasure that Father Radloff's continues to exercise his sacramental and pastoral ministry as a priest of the Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest and pastor of Holy Communion Evangelical Catholic Church is the areas of:

Visitation and Anointing of the sick at a local secular hospital.
Visitation and Anointing of the sick at local secular nursing homes.

Bishop Cary goes to great lengths to emphasis that Father Radloff, in his ministry to the sick, does so without the authority of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baker. In his continuing ministry, Father Radloff has gone to great lengths to make sure that one and all is aware that he is now functionally with faculties and with the permission of the Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest and I, his bishop.  This point being made by Bishop Cary is absent of logic and reality.

In paragraph three, Bishop Cary goes on the state that "Canon 751, of the Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church defines schism as "the refusal of submission" to the Pope and the refusal to remain in "communion with the members of the (Roman Catholic) Church subject to him.  Cary goes on to state that "Father Radloff's letter of resignation from the priesthood and his decision to rescind his personal membership with the Roman jurisdiction clearly constitutes such a act of schism on his part.  The bombast continues with Cary declaring that "persons who have committed such acts of schism automatically incur the penalty of excommunication."

Just a quick question:  How is a resignation synonymous with schism?

Bishop Cary concludes with his grand pronouncement that henceforth, "Father James Radloff is forbidden to celebrate Mass, baptize, perform marriages, to hear confessions or to anoint the sick."

How about that for an episcopal mouthful?

I believe that Bishop Cary realizes that his excommunication is an "after the fact exercise in vindication" akin to what many wives face and experience from their ex-husbands.  This excommunication is not worth the paper it is written on but it seems that Cary just can't help himself.

For years, Roman Catholic priests have chosen of their own free will to leave the Church of Rome of their own free will and to continue their vocations and sacramental journeys within other jurisdictions. The dogged campaign by the former Bishop of Father James Radloff is shockingly unprecedented and calls into the question his grasp of Roman Catholic ecclesiology, but self defines him as a psychological predator against the Evangelical Catholic community within greater Bend Oregon.

How I wish that Chicago was nearer to Bend, for I am somewhat frustrated that I cannot be in Bend at this moment in time to protect and defend my two brother priests at Holy Communion Evangelical Catholic Church and also to protect the People of God who compose the community of Holy Communion by predators in any form..  That is my role and obligation as bishop for the Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest and I embrace my role unconditionally.

To Bishop Cary, I say directly - Jim Radloff resigned and ended his relationship within your jurisdiction ten months ago.   It is time for you to let it go. Jim has never misrepresented himself to anyone and you are well aware of that fact. And if you continue to attempt any form of harm again my brother priests or the members of our parish in Bend, I promise that I will be on the next plane to Bend to protect and defend one and all.

Define Us By Who We Are, Not By Who We Are Not

Text of the Pastoral Letter

Congratulations Father David Verhasslet - Priest for the Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest

On Saturday, August 10th, 2013, I had the honor of celebrating the Rite of Clerical Incardination of Father David Verhasselt as a priest for the Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest at Holy Name of Jesus Evangelical Catholic Church in Ashippun Wisconsin.

Together with Fathers Peter Julian McGechie and Matthew Pozen, our concelebrated Mass was attended by a near over-flow crowd of Holy Name of Jesus parishioners, guests and members of the Verhasselt Family.

The road which brought Father David to the Evangelical Catholic Church was not a easy one and throughout this journey and transition, Father David never failed to witness his personal and priestly dignity and integrity.

Holy Names of Jesus is a catholic faith community that is strong and vibrant in spirit and faith.  I know that Father David will continue to lead and mentor this parish to its fullest potential.

An Example of Unity within the Autocephalous Catholic Movement

On Saturday, November 3, 2012, in a simple and prayerful moment, the Evangelical Catholic Church and the United States Old Catholic Church signed a Concordat of Recognition entitled “Call to Shared Journey,” in Chicago.  Archbishop James Long and Bishop Douglas Prenya represented the United States Old Catholic Church and I represented the Evangelical Catholic Church as its Presiding Bishop.

Many remain unaware of the presence of the Autocephalous Catholic Movement. It is, simply put, Catholics who are members of smaller, yet validly consecrated “independent” jurisdictions throughout the world who seldom have any real sense of connection with one another. Here in the United States and also in Western Europe many such jurisdictions exist, though many struggle to document their claims of linkage within historic apostolic succession – a necessity to validly ordain to Orders and celebrate the catholic sacraments.

In the cases of the Evangelical Catholic Church and the United States Old Catholic Church, the validity of their roots in historic apostolic succession is a fact which makes them unique within Autocephalous Catholicism because since the 1980’s many Catholics laypersons who have found themselves pastorally orphaned have looked to the autocephalous catholic world to continue their journeys in faith. The autocephalous catholic world has also become a option for inactive priests who have married or for women called to the priestly vocation for consideration. Sadly, for many years those who have considered the autocephalous catholic option have found their choices anemic and underwhelming.

An educated eye will find, upon simply examination and research, many of those claiming to be bishops, priests and deacon have little, if any, academic or spiritual formation experience that one would expect of those holding these offices. Sadly many have little, if any, ministerial goals or agendas of service for the People of God. The potentiality of what the autocephalous could be has long been overshadowed and kept in bondage by the silliness of so many “dress-up” wannabes.

Since the 1990’s there has been a slow, but steady flow of seriously minded Catholics making investments into jurisdictions staffed by professionally trained bishops, priests and deacon who use contemporary protocols for screening their candidates and providing them with the best possible academic and spiritual formation. The People of God who are “crossing the Rubicon” to join these jurisdictions have already left behind their experiences with dysfunctionality and have no desire to take on a whole new boatload with a new jurisdiction.

I believe that for many years, those considering a move to the autocephalous catholic movement have also been turned off by the cattiness, ignorance and superegos of many of the “leaders” representing the movement.

Some within the autocephalous world have come to realize that one of the signs of apostasy in the early Christian Church was the bickering and disunity among Christians. Jesus said that the world would know that we were His disciples by the love that we have for one another (John 13:35). In Col. 3:14, it says that love is the perfect bond of unity. The New Testament speaks about us being unified in Christ (Eph. 4:5). In response to Christians who follow after individuals rather than Jesus, Paul says that Christ is not divided (1 Cor. 1:12-13). Though Christ is not divided, His body of believers where.

What is it that unites us?

Primarily, it is the saving work of Christ that unites us. Secondarily, it is the essential doctrines that define orthodoxy. We have, as a common heritage, the blood of Christ that has been shed for the forgiveness of our sins. True Christians serve the true and living God and we know Jesus in a personal and intimate way (1 Cor. 1:9). We have been redeemed by God himself. Furthermore, we have the body of Scriptures which tell us the essentials of the faith and deviating from these essentials means to be outside the camp of Christ. It is the essential doctrines that we must know and unite ourselves within.

To best understand these facts, candidates for the priesthood need to be grounded with a sound academic formation. Several years ago, the United States Old Catholic Church established the Saint John the Evangelist Seminary. The academic goals and standards of this seminary are consistent with the academic formation goals of any Roman Catholic seminary. In 2011 the Evangelical Catholic Church committed itself to sending their candidates to Saint John’s for their academic formation.

The apostle Paul also recognized the value of unity. From his own sufferings in Philippi he knew the infant Church faced determined opposition. Paul warned his friends of opponents, suffering and conflict soon to come. Paul’s central concern to the Church at Corinth was also a concern of division. Paul expressed his concern with these words, “I appeal to you brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” The Corinthians had formed cliques based upon the supposed superiority of various leaders. These divisions had shattered the unity of the local congregation and created dissension. Paul’s focus here is that the division in the Corinthian Church was wrong. Paul’s goal in his writing is found in the first sentence where he urges them to resolve their differences and restore unity in their Church fellowship.

Our two jurisdictions have come together at this moment in time to witness the embracing of Paul’s goals. This unprecedented instrument witnesses a desire between these two jurisdictions to embrace unity and respect rather than continue to perpetuate the examples of disunity and counter productivity Paul attempted to heal with the Church at Corinth.

For many years, our two communities of faith have been walking nearly identical sacramental, ecclesial and liturgical paths until the Holy Spirit chose the opportune time for them to discover each other.

The Concordat of Recognition focuses on these important matters of faith:

Agreement in the Doctrine of the Faith

Agreement in Ministry

Commitment to Share Episcopal Succession

and

Interchangeability of Clergy

This Concordat of Recognition is also the realization and acknowledgement of our mutual call to a shared journey in faith, life and vocation to serve the People of God. It has also become our combined obligation to also help reform take place within the autocephalous catholic movement. Despite the self-inflicted damage it has done to itself over the years, renovation and restoration is light at the end of the tunnel which is clearly visible to those wishing to role up their sleeves and does the work.

The Concordat states that “Recognizing each other as churches in which the gospel is truly preached and the holy sacraments duly administered, we receive with thanksgiving the gift of unity which is already given in Christ.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers -- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:15-20).

Repeatedly Christians have echoed the scriptural confession that the unity of the church is both Christ's own work and his call to us. It is therefore our task as well as his gift. We must "make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). We pray that we may rely upon, and willingly receive from one another, the gifts Christ gives through his Spirit "for building up the body of Christ" in love (Ephesians 4:16).”

We pray that this commitment will witness the grace of unity hoped for by St. Paul when he wrote, "Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose" (Phil. 2:2).

Many thanks to Rick Garcia who oversaw the signing ceremony and Professor Mark Wojcik of the John Marshall School of Law for being the office witness to the documents.

My Letter to Governor Quinn regarding the Cook County Morgue scandal.

The Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest
Post Office Box 178388
Chicago Illinois 60617-8388

Office of the Bishop

January 30, 2012

The Honorable Pat Quinn
Governor for the State of Illinois
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield Illinois 62706

Dear Governor Quinn:

I hope that this letter finds you well.

I am writing to you in my capacity as the Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest regarding the latest scandal that has hit the Cook County Morgue.

It is my belief that the current policies of the Cook County Morgue regarding the final disposition of the remains of indigents are outdated for the Twenty-First century. I believe that the practice of burial by mass grave is disrespectful to the basic dignity of human life. We do better with the carcasses of animal road kill than we do with the remains of the indigents.

I am reaching out to you to ask your assistance to the creation of legislation that would standardized within the State of Illinois a common policy for the final disposition of the remains of indigents.

Permit me the opportunity to share with you recommendations which I have made to Cook County Board President Preckwinkle on this matter:


• Upon taking custody of remains, the County Medical Examiner will obtain the DNA of the deceased and created an ID record with this information.

• After remains have been in the custody of the County for more than 60 days, they will be cremated and place in a simple container with a file identification number attached and returned to the custody of the County for storage in a non-refrigerated location with the hope of possible reuniting with family.

• If the cremains of indigents are not claimed within one year, the County can purchase one or two traditional size grave lots and install an ossuary as a final dignified resting place for the cremains of the indigents. And if at some future date in time, a family member becomes identified, they may be directed to where there family member has been placed at rest.


I realize that these suggestions represents a “broad stroke” remedy to this scandal, but I believe that the current scandal that has again happened in Cook County calls our state community to consider thinking outside of the current box to policies for new and caring policies which will allow the State of Illinois to become the template for others to follow.

I invite you to consider my plea to you and to help create the appropriate legislation to redress this issue.

Please know that I have committed myself to this issue and to walk whatever lengths to prevent such scandals from happening again. It is my prayer that you would join me in this journey.

I thank you for taking the time to consider this letter and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Until then, I remain

Most Respectfully Yours,

James Alan Wilkowski
Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest

bishopjames@evangelicalcatholicchurch.org

Your bullying boss may be slowly killing you!

I would like to share with you a recent article by Stephanie Pappas from LiveScience:


41 percent of American workers having been psychologically harassed at work

If you spend your workday avoiding an abusive boss, tiptoeing around co-workers who talk behind your back, or eating lunch alone because you've been ostracized from your cubicle mates, you may be the victim of workplace bullying. New research suggests that you're not alone, especially if you're struggling to cope.
Employees with abusive bosses often deal with the situation in ways that inadvertently make them feel worse, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Stress Management. That's bad news, as research suggests that workplace abuse is linked to stress — and stress is linked to a laundry list of mental and physical ailments, including higher body weight and heart disease.
In at least one extreme case, workplace bullying has even been linked to suicide, much as schoolyard bullying has been linked to a rash of suicides among young people.

Bullying is "a form of abuse which carries tremendous health harm," said Gary Namie, a social psychologist who directs the Workplace Bullying Institute. "That's how you distinguish it from tough management or any of the other cutesy ways people use to diminish it."

Struggle to cope

Namie was not involved in the new study, which surveyed nearly 500 employees about how they dealt with abusive supervision. Abusive supervisors are bosses who humiliate and insult their employees, never let them forget their mistakes, break promises and isolate employees from other co-workers, study author Dana Yagil of the University of Haifa in Israel told LiveScience.

About 13 to 14 percent of Americans work under an abusive supervisor, Yagil said. Her study on Israeli workers found that abused employees tend to cope by avoiding their bosses, seeking support from co-workers and trying to reassure themselves. As useful as those strategies might sound, however, they actually made employees feel worse.

"It is understandable that employees wish to reduce the amount of their contact with an abusive boss to the minimum, but the strategies they use actually further increase their stress instead of reducing it," Yagil said. "This may happen because these strategies are associated with a sense of weakness and perpetuate the employee's fear of the supervisor."

Tragic consequences

Avoiding a workplace bully might seem easier than avoiding a school bully, given that employees can quit their jobs. But workers get caught in a cycle of stress, Namie said. An online survey of targeted workers by the WBI found that they put up with the abuse for an average of 22 months.

The stress of the bullying may itself lead to bad decision-making, Namie said. A 2009 study in the journal Science found that stressed-out rats fail to adapt to changes in their environment. A portion of the stressed rats' brains, the dorsomedial striatum, actually shrunk compared with that region in relaxed rats. The findings suggest that stress may actually re-wire the brain, creating a decision-making rut. The same may occur in bullied workers, Namie said.

"This is why a person can't make quality decisions," he said. "They can't even consider alternatives. Just like a battered spouse, they don't even perceive alternatives to their situations when they're stressed and depressed and under attack."

Sometimes this cycle ends with tragedy. Namie works as an expert legal witness on bullying. In one upcoming case, he said, a woman put up with daily barrages of screaming abuse from her boss for a year. By the end, she was working 18-hour days, trying to shield the employees under her from her boss' tyranny, Namie said. Finally, she and several of her co-workers put together a 25-page complaint to human resources. Nothing happened, until she was called in for a meeting with senior management. The woman knew she would be fired for making the complaint, Namie said.

"Rather than allowing herself to be terminated, she bought a pistol, went to work, left three suicide notes, and she took her own life at work," he said.

"She was like that rat stuck in a rut," he added. "She didn't see any alternative at that point."

Why bullying happens

While all workplace-bullying cases are not so extreme, it does seem to be a common problem, said Sandy Herschcovis, a professor of business administration at the University of Manitoba who studies workplace aggression. Between 70 and 80 percent of Americans report rudeness and incivility at work, Herschcovis told LiveScience. Fewer are systematically bullied, she said, but the best estimate puts the number at about 41 percent of American workers having been psychologically harassed at work at some point.

Hierarchical organizations such as the military tend to have higher rates of bullying, Herschcovis said, as do places where the environment is highly competitive.

"Definitely the organizational context contributes," Herschcovis said.
The personality of the bully is often key, with some research suggesting that childhood bullies become bullies as adults, she said. Targets of bullying are often socially anxious, have low self-esteem, or have personality traits such as narcissism, Herschcovis said. "We don't want to blame the victim, but we recognize this more and more as a relationship" between the bully and the target, she said.
Little research has been done on how to deal with abusive bosses or bullying co-workers. In mild cases, where a boss may not realize how their behavior is coming across, direct confrontation might work, Yagil said. One research-based program that seems to have potential is called the Civility, Respect and Engagement at Work project, Herschcovis said. That program has been shown to improve workplace civility, reduce cynicism and improve job satisfaction and trust among employees, she said. The program has employees discuss rudeness and incivility in their workplace and make plans to improve.

For workers experiencing bullying, Herschcovis recommended reporting specific behavior to higher-ups, as well as examining one's own behavior. Sometimes victims inadvertently contribute to the bullying relationship, she said. Namie cautioned that victims should proceed with care, however, as there are no anti-bullying workplace laws on the books in the U.S.

"HR [human resources] has no power or clout to make senior management stop," Namie said. "Without the laws, they're not mandated to make policies, and without the mandate, they don’t know what to do."

Since 2003, 21 states have introduced some version of anti-bullying bills, but none have yet passed. Twelve states have legislation pending in 2012, according to healthyworkplacebill.org.

In the meantime, Herschcovis and her colleagues have found that bystanders in the workplace are usually sympathetic to the victim rather than the bully.
"Outside parties are most likely to want to intervene, and to be in a position to intervene," Herschcovis said. The trick, she added, will be to find ways to encourage co-workers to stand up for one another.

Hopes and Wishes for 2012

I hope that 2012 will enable us to celebrate:

*Freedom from our economic depression.
*The return of all our troops home.
*Workplaces that ensures the dignity and respect of all workers.
*Social and Religious Leadership that natures and not divides.
*An end to reality television shows.
*Universal Health Care for all persons.
*Food, Clothing and Housing for those in need.
*The grace of living in community.
*Peace at home and abroad.
*Equal rights and dignity for all persons.
*The success of my students and all students.

Just wishing.

Clemency for Illinois Governor George Ryan

On April 17, 2006, former Illinois Governor George Ryan was convicted on political corruption charges during his term as Illinois Secretary of State. After exhusting his judical appeals, he entered into federal prison on November 7, 2007.

This posting shall not be focused on a revisitation of the Ryan case. Rather, this post is challenge the judical system to acknowledge that George Ryan has accepted responsibility for his actions, paid his debt to society, poses no danger to the public and is ready to return to society.

The basic question for all to ponder, without prejudice, is the cause of justice and common good continues to be served with George Ryan remaining in custody until 2013.

There have been so many convincted of far more serious crimes and later granted parole after serve only a fraction of their time in custody.

How is the common good being served by retaining George Ryan in prison?

As a citizen of the State of Illinois, I believe that the common good is no longer being served with George Ryan in prison and it is time for him to be released. I have expressed this in several letters to President Obama and I realize that our country is back in national election mode, I suspect that the last thing the President wishes to deal with is the matter of George Ryan.

George Ryan has paid his debt to society. It is time for him to return home.

The 2011 Bishop's Dinner and Awards Ceremony

For additional information visit the Bishop's Dinner and Awards Ceremony 2011 page or call the Diocese at (773) 721-5383.

The Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest is “A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in the Catholic Tradition”

Dr. Paul Chemello, DO - Friend and Doctor

Sometimes the roles our doctors, nurses and medical techs can easily be taken for granted. They are individuals whom we have to encounter when we are either ill or have a loved one who is ill.

I simply wish to take this opportunity to extend a happy 50th birthday to someone who have been a healer and friend to me and my family.

I first met Dr. Paul Chemello just prior to my ordination as priest in 1997. During those years, Paul Chemello has not only been our family physican but he has also become a friend. His skills as a doctor provided my mother an additional year of quality of life before we lost her to cancer.

In 2007, it was Paul Chemello who knew me well enough and could read me well enough to make me sit still and undergo and electrocardiogram which discovered that I was in need of quintuple heart bypass surgery. Had it not been for his keen eye and ears, this blog would be written today.

And finally, Paul Chemello is a someone who suffers with grace my particular dry and wry form of humor - and is willing to one-up me from time to time.

So to my friend and doctor, Paul Chemello - I extend, in friendship and gratitude, a very best 50th birthday.

And may all his days be spared from Purple.

How healthy are Children "Beauty" pageants?

Ever since the murder of Jon Benet Ramsey, I have had to question the psychological impact on children being dressed up by their parents to participate in Children Beauty Pageants. I find it rather scary to see 6 years old dressed and made up to look like adult women.

For the past three weeks, I have been home recovering from a recent cardio-blip and have been getting my moneys worth from cable television. While browsing the channels, I came across a program called Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC.

Watching what these children are being put through by their parents has convinced me that these activites border on child abuse.

If parents want to paint up their children in adult clothes and makeup, then they should by a Barbie Doll. Their children are NOT dolls to play with.

Thank You, Mrs. Ford

This past week our national family celebrated the life of Betty Ford, First Lady of President Gerald Ford.

It is somewhat difficult to believe that so many years have passed since she and President Ford retired to California.

During her brief time in the White House, Mrs. Ford's impact on social issues was nearly as profound of that of Eleanor Roosevelt and her post White House contributions to the welfare of our national family was as equally significant.

All of the eulogies have been spoken, tributes given and now Mrs. Ford rests beside her husband in Michigan.

I guess all that can be said now is thank you for making our national family better with the gift of your life.

The First Step to Unconditional Equal Rights

On June 1st, 2011, gender common couples in Illinois obtained the legal right to enter into civil unions. As of today it seems that the numbers of civil union licences have far exceed the expected amount.

I wish each of these couples well.

I wish to focus my comments on the fact that civil unions are not equal to civil marriage and those gender common couples who sincerely wish to obtain the same, full and equal rights which comes with marriage cannot and must not settle for civil unions as "the best we can get."

It is my hope and prayer that unconditional civil rights are provided for all members of our local and national families.

Let this work continue.

Thank God NO Sacred Books Will Be Burned Today

I am so very grateful that as we remember 9/11 today, no Sacred Books have been burned.

I believe that it goes without saying that such an act would have been deplorable on so many levels.

While it is good that no Sacred Texts will be burned today, I am still deeply pained by the many hate filled blogs that desecrate the Moslem faith and those who follow it. For we all breathe the same air, drink the same water, relax under the same sun, view the same stars and share the same planet.

We call God by different names, but are called by Him as one name - His Children.

It is my hope that this day of reflection will be peaceful and sacred.

+James Wilkowski

Thanks to Bill Morton for picture.

Plans for a new Pastoral Letter

I have finally outlined my next pastoral letter. The working title for this is "Santification of Life."

Its thesis shall be the pastoral concerns and/or fears of a tide of social and political backlash that will undermine the progress of our national family in the area of social justice and peace and civil and economic rights.

I will keep you all up to date with my process.

Please enjoy the Labor Day weekend.

+Bishop James

To All Who Are Victims of Abuse: Run Like Hell As Fast As You Can And Get Away!

I believe that “teachable moments” present themselves to us when we least expect them.

The recent events surrounding celebrities Chris Brown and Rihanna have provided us with a very teachable moment regarding the issue of abuse in relationships. I do not think we should squander this opportunity to dialogue and learn.

I invite you to realize that as you read this article, someone, somewhere is being physically or emotionally abused at this very moment.

And there might be a very good chance that the person being abused at this very moment could be someone you know.

So often, when discussing the issue of abuse in relationships, much emphasis gets placed upon the issue of determining the reasons why a person engages in abusive behaviors. While it is always important to learn why a person i s abuse and to take all necessary steps to treat this illness – we sometimes fail to adequately help the victims of abuse free themselves from these relationships.

This teachable moment will be squandered if we fail to reinforce the chorus of common sense advice being offered to victims of abuse – if you stay in such a relationship “they will do it again.”

The only addendum I would add to the above mentioned advice would be the tag “run like hell as far away as you can as quickly as you can.”

It is a documented reality that victims have difficulties separating themselves from their abusers. They psychological power abusers have over their victims is astonishing and extremely difficult to break. It is heartbreaking and frustrating for us who know those who are victims of abuse in ongoing relationships to watch from the sidelines those whom we care for continue to live in the hellish nightmare of emotional and physical abuse. We want to protect and save all who are in abusive relationships but we can’t save anyone who won’t let us.

In her autobiography “I, Tina,” and the movie based upon said autobiography, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” singer/actress Tina Turner tells of her many years of suffering physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband. Despite the many pleas from those who cared for her, Tina Turner could not bring herself to leave that relationship.

Until……

The day came when after suffering another brutal beating by her husband she made the spontaneous and irreversible decision to leave. As that moment was being recreated for film, Tina Turner didn't just walk out of her hotel room in Las Vegas – she ran out and began the process of healing.

And she never went back.

I believe that each of us are all created in God's image and I also believe that God takes great delight in each and every joy and happiness we experience in life. When we are willing to share ourselves with another person - either as spouse, partner or friend - we are obligated to share the unconditional love which God has graced us with the person who we have entered into a relationship with. Physical and emotional abuse and objectification has not place in sacred relationships.

I believe we can all agree that abusive behaviors and all acts of abuse are part of a mental illness that is very difficult to overcome - for this illness is like all forms of addictions. It can, with tremendous will-power and commitment, be controlled. But there is no cure for this illness and the changes of regression is very high. For anyone to remain in any relationship in which abuse is part of the dynamics is emotionally and spiritually suicidal. It can also be fatal.

Because if a abuser abused someone once, they will most likely do it again and again and again.

And that is not part of God's plans and hopes for us.

Because so many who are victims of abuse loose their self-esteem, they find it so difficult to give themselves permission to leave the relationship.

So today, I wish to join the growing chorus who are shouting out to all those who are suffering in abusive relationships.

If you are the victim of any form of abuse going on in any spousal, partnership or friendship relations - run like hell as fast as you can and get away. You may not be able to cure your abuser, but you surely can save and cure yourself.


Sincerely Yours,

James Alan Wilkowski
Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest
Chicago, Illinois

Juggernauts to Political Crucifixions

The political landscape of the State of Illinois is starting to look like the floors of the slaughters rooms in the old Chicago Stockyards and we seem to have become less squeamish about sending our politicans to their crucifixtions.

The comments I wish to share in these paragraphs are not about the assigning of guilt or the protestations of innocence of Rod Blagojevich or Roland Burris. These words are an expression of my growing fear that we, the family of Illinois, are not doing enough to keep in check a juggernaut mentality that truncates the necessity of a sober and deliberate process of ascertaining acts of political misdeeds or corruption.

The call for the impeachment or resignation of a elected official is a very serious matter and it seems to me more too often that such calls are presented in an irresponsible manner - with the greater emphasis placed upon sensationalism rather than merit. I believe that those who call for impeachments or resignations have the responsibility to do so in a meritorious manner.

Some have proposed that the recent process which lead to the impeachment of Rod Blagojevich ultimately resulted in a political crucifixion of Blagojevich rather than an impeachment. I cannot accept the attitude that regardless if the process was a act of political crucifixion or impeachment - "the important thing is that he's gone."

That is not the Illinois way.

A juggernaut is something that once created and empowered, has a mind and will of its own that cannot be contained or controlled. A juggernaut can be as deadly as any force of in nature.

I fear that the juggernaut that took down Blagojevich did not expire the moment after the impeachment was declared official. I believe that it has continue onward with its sites directed at Roland Burris. I hope that it might be possible for us to will the derailment of this juggernaut in order to permit emotional sobriety, together with facts and law, and ultimately answer all questions being aimed at Senator Burris. We must not permit Senator Burris or any elected official to be hounded out of office solely because of drunken sensationalism fueled by the media.

That is not the Illinois way.

If we fail to put aside our juggernaut addiction, our political "Mount of Olives" will soon run out of room.

Our constitutional process provides up with a sound avenue to deal with matters of political corruption and misdeeds. Our constitutional process is in place to prevent any form of vacuums to occur and provide openings for juggernauts to rear up. Let us trust this process to carry us through our questions about Senator Burris.

I believe in the goodness, honesty and integrity of the people of the State of Illinois.

We are NOT like the mob standing before Pilate demanding a crucifixion. We ARE a people dedicated to the process of justice and truth.

Let that be the avenue we travel as we address the questions surrounding Senator Burris.

That is the Illinois way.

Sincerely Yours,




James Alan Wilkowski
Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest
Chicago, Illinois

Illinois HB 45 - Release of Elderly and Rehabilitated Prisoners

The primary vocation of our Department of Corrections is not just to warehouse those who have been convicted of crimes, but rather to transform and rehabilitate those who have shown errant behavioral patterns and return them to society so they may be able to make positive contributions.

In recent years the attitude of our society has shifted more towards warehousing and away from hopes and goals of transformation and rehabilitation of those incarcerated. I believe that we all have an obligation to open our hearts and minds towards the prospects of transformation and rehabilitation.

Illinois State Representative Arthur Turner (D-Chicago) has offered House Bill 45 which offers society the opportunity to recognize that the transformation and rehabilitation of those imprisoned for their crimes is indeed possible and to welcome those who are prepared to except the responsibilities for productive citizenship to return to society.

HB 45 also provides a sensibly approach towards addressing the issue of rehabilitated prisoners who are elderly.

Under the terms of the bill, the Prisoner Review Board would only be allowed to order the release of a person if the Board finds that the person poses no threat to public safety. The bill provides that if the Prisoner Review Board determines that a committed person should receive a sentence adjustment, the Board will set conditions for the committed person's release. Finally, the bill creates a voluntary Impact of Crime on Victims Class (ICVC), which incorporates principles of restorative justice. The ICVC would be a pilot initially, patterned on a similar program within the Missouri Department of Corrections.

There are economic, social, and moral reasons to support this legislation. To the first, if only 100 prisoners were released under the proposal, it is estimated the state would save $7 million. Obviously, financial gains cannot be the primary force for a change in sentencing. The bill also recognizes that 25 years is a significant amount of time and that age 50 for a prisoner is considered elderly by researchers. The bill would not be a "get out of jail free" card. The requirements are stringent and will not be met by most petitioners.

I sincerely believe that justice, mercy and fiscal accountability dictate that some of the nearly 1,000 men and women meeting the requirements of this bill should have their sentences adjusted. I am convinced that HB 45 meets the constitutional mandate of returning prisoners to “useful citizenship.”

I thank Representative Turner for authoring this bill.

As we prepare for the beginning of Lent, I encourage all to support HB 45.

Sincerely Yours,




+James Alan Wilkowski
Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest
Chicago, Illinois

Ethics, Common Sense and IVF

Some years ago, a member of the Supreme Court was asked to define pornography. The answer was, "I can't describe it, but I know it when I see it."

I believe that we would all be in agreement that there is a very fine line that dictates if an act, action or decision crosses the line of ethics and common sense. Like the Supreme Court Justice, it is sometimes hard to define that line, but we certainly know when it has been crossed.

The backstory leading to the ultimate octuplet births in California has become a case in point of when the acceptable lines of ethics and common sense are crossed.

Before I say more, please permit me to make one statement of clarification before moving on:

These eight children born recently cannot and must not be forced to carry any blame or stigma associated with the process that has lead to their births. They babies are innocent victims of the recklessness of others. We are all obligated to avoid inflicting any addition burdens or stress in their lives.

With that said, let me proceed.

I believe that the discovery of IVF - in vitro fertilization has come into our lives through the gift of the Holy Spirit. IVF has provided some families the opportunity to overcome certain hurdles prevent conception. I believe that God has worked through the hands of those whom He has called to the vocation of medicine in the same manner in which He has worked through those who discovered so many vaccines which now prevents certain illnesses.

Since the octuplet births, I have had an opportunity to research the common standards and ethics involved in the decision making process for doctors to ultilize the IVF process.

I have come to the conclusion that the doctor of this woman dispensed himself from those necessary common standards and medical ethics and the proper authorities much hold him accountable for his actions.

I would very much like to know how this doctor could justify using IVF for a woman who already has six children. We are not talking about a woman having difficulites in attempting to conceive her first child. We are talking about a woman who already has six children. IVF should not have been considered an option for this case.

Much as been speculated regarding the emotional maturity of this woman and it would be wrong for me to engage in such speculation. I will offer, however, the suggestion that doctors specializing in IVF should complete a full case history of any candidate for IVF prior to undergoing the process.

As a result in the breakdown of common sense in this unique case, the spirit and goals of IVF have been dealth serious injury. The goals of medicine is to improve the quality of life. What we have learned about this California case could be akin to the horrors done to women by doctors in the Nazi concentration camps.

We must never permit the dignity of any woman to be reduced to that of a bitch in a puppy mill.

I do believe that we should permit this doctor and his insurance to begin establishing eight individual trusts funds for these children - with a responsible guardian being name for the minor children.

Sincerely Yours,




+James Alan Wilkowski
Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest
Chicago, Illinois

Welcome to the Bishop's Blog

Greetings and Welcome.

It has taken some time for me to get around to doing so, but I finally sat myself down to put together and to organize my Blog.

As we all know, EVERYBODY, seems to have a Blog. Blogs seem to come in a very wide variety of styles and agendas. I am not restricting myself to any one form of style of blogging. I suspect that this endeavour will cover many, many topics and I hope will surely spur on some thought and discussion.

As the Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest, I hope that this project will lend some dignity to my church community. Knowing the blunt honesty that often reigns on the blogs - I suspect that those who vist and read will be the judge of my success.

Sincerely Yours,

+James Alan Wilkowski
Evangelical Catholic Bishop for the Diocese of the Northwest
Chicago, Illinois
February 15th, 2009